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ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burkholder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Cabinet Room
of the Lakewood Civic Center South Building, 480 S. Allison Pkwy. Lakewood,
CO.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL
Those present were: Mayor Steve Burkholder, Presiding
Vicki Stack
Cheryl Wise
Debbie Koop
Bob Murphy
Sue King
Ed Peterson
Doug Anderson
Ray Elliott
Diana Allen
Mike Stevens
Staff in attendance: Mike Rock, City Manager
Roger Noonan, City Attorney
Full and timely notice of this Study Session meeting had been given and a quorum was present.
ITEM 3. UPDATE - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Ron Burns gave a Power Point presentation, "Lakewood Police
2005/2006 State of Affairs". He reported that there are currently 256 sworn
officers, 1 chief, 3 division chiefs, 33 sergeants, 8 commanders, 204 officers,
and 22 recruits. The attrition rate is 1.58 agents per month. The Lakewood PD
has been accredited since 1987. There are 449 Neighborhood Watch blocks. During
2005, 93 volunteers donated 10,641 hours.
Chief Burns reported on the sector-based policing program and explained how "Staff Wizard" software is used to manage patrol allocation and meet deployment needs. He stated that 34% of an agent's time is spent on calls for service, 38% on non-calls for service time including agent-initiated activity, and 28% is spent doing administrative work, break time and vehicle maintenance. The goal is for each category to be 33% of an agent's time.
Information was presented on alternative crime reporting, investigations, calls for service, call activity, crime activity and traffic activity. Chief Burns stated that five School Resource Officers were reinstated in high schools in January. Two more will be added in middle schools next January, plus a sergeant for the program. Emerging issues include the relocation of the Communications Center, servicing new developments and future developments (St. Anthony's Hospital, RTD Light Rail), Animal Control (new legislation), and plans for a Police Citizen Survey.
Chief Burns reported on emerging crime trends, including gang activity, increase in crime due to methamphetamine and crack cocaine use, increase in weapon seizures, and increase in fraud, identity theft, and shoplifting. He also discussed new legislative mandates for sex offender registration, crimes against children and economic crimes.
In response to questions from City Council members, Chief Burns stated that Lakewood has 1.65 officers per 1000 residents, which is close to the national average. He said he is evaluating how citizen volunteers might be used for certain tasks that would free up some time for sworn officers, plus save the city money, such as front desk coverage, some investigations legwork, and some field work.
Mayor Burkholder announced a short recess at 8:25 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
ITEM 4. DISCUSSION - EXTENSION OF TABOR
Finance Director Larry Dorr discussed the challenges facing the city next year
after the 8-year TABOR (Taxpayers' Bill of Rights) exemption ends on December
31st. He explained that TABOR is not a spending limit, but rather a revenue
limit. Beginning in 2007, decisions will have to be made about whether or not
to accept grants and similar funds as these may impact the city's revenue limitations.
Lengthy discussion ensued about potential impacts of the end of the city's
TABOR exemption, and the following comments were expressed:
• It is possible to exempt certain revenue streams (for example, grant
funds).
• Shall we let voters decide whether or not to exempt grant funds (or more).
• The "ratcheting down" effect of TABOR is the worst part of
the statute.
• We need more financial detail about future impacts before we can decide
whether or not to ask voters to extend the exemption.
• Determining the city's revenue limit is essentially a 24-month process.
• We need future projections so we can explain to citizens what will happen
if we do or don't extend the exemption.
A Council Study Session will be scheduled to discuss this further.
ITEM 5. PRESENTATION - 1ST QUARTER INCOME/EXPENDITURE STATEMENTS
Finance Director Larry Dorr presented information about first quarter revenue
in 2006, compared to the 2006 budget:
• 1st quarter 2006 revenues totaled $116,000 above budget (.2%).
• 1st quarter revenues for 2006 were up .3% compared to 1st quarter revenues
for 2004 (after removing the sale of the Chrysler property from the 2004 figures).
• 1st quarter 2006 expenditures are down 3.2% compared to the 2006 budget.
• 1st quarter 2006 expenditures are up .4% compared to 1st quarter 2004.
Mr. Dorr also provided year-to-date figures through April 2006 comparing actual
revenues to anticipated revenues resulting from the passage of 2A (new sales
tax):
• Estimated increase in revenues because of 2A: 47.2%.
• 1st quarter 2006 up 53.4% compared to 1st quarter 2005.
• We've collected one-third of the projected annual sales tax revenues
for 2006.
ITEM 6. REPORTS - MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney Roger Noonan reported on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on
a Denver gun case that maintained a lower court decision regarding home rule
authority.
There were no other reports.
ITEM 7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council; Mayor Burkholder
adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Submitted by,
Sharon Blackstock, Acting City Clerk
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